Top 5 Editorial Picks

Five current fishfinders chosen for distinct buyer needs—from compact value to a premium expandable system. These are editorial selections, not Amazon or reader ratings.

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  1. 1
    Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Fishfinder with Transducer - 4-inch LCD Display - Easy-to-Use Scanning Sonar - Color Palettes, 11.2 Ounces (010-02550-00) | Transducer, 4-inch LCD Display, Easy-to-Use Scanning Sonar, Color Palettes, 11.2 Ounces 4 Inch STRIKER Vivid 4cv Transducer

    Best Compact Value

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv

    A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.

    • CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar in a compact package
    • A sensible pick when you do not need a chartplotter or SideVü
    • Best fit for budget-conscious small-boat anglers
  2. 2
    Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00) | Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder, Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes 010-02553-00 7 Inch STRIKER Vivid 7sv Transducer

    Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7sv

    A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.

    • CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar for fish and structure
    • Simple setup with a practical 7-inch screen
    • Strong value for most general boat anglers
  3. 3
    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland 7' Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland with GT54 Transducer

    Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade

    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv

    The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.

    • Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland mapping and touchscreen control
    • Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar
    • A better fit than STRIKER when charts matter
  4. 4
    Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen Display Transducer Included) 9-Inch Display

    Best Side-Imaging Upgrade

    Humminbird XPLORE 9

    A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.

    • MEGA Side Imaging+ and MEGA Down Imaging+
    • 9-inch display with touchscreen and keypad control
    • Recommended configuration: 9-inch, transducer included
  5. 5
    Lowrance HDS PRO Fishfinder/Chartplotter with Smartphone Integration and Preloaded C-MAP U.S. & Canada Charts 10 Inch ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1

    Best Premium Expandable System

    Lowrance HDS PRO 10

    A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.

    • Active Imaging HD and C-MAP charting
    • Wide networking support for integrated electronics
    • Ready to expand with ActiveTarget 2 and the Lowrance ecosystem

Humminbird 788ci HD DI Review

Rating
4.2/5
 
Humminbird 788ci HD DI has an average rating of 4.17 out of 5 based on 6 user reviews.

humminbird_788

Vendor Price
WestMarine $649.99
FactoryOutletStore $599.99
ISave $599.99

The Humminbird 788ci HD DI is a high powered fishfinder that gives any angler what they need to fish like a pro. Customize the easy to use interface with your choice of colors. Use the X-press menu system to easily go between those components you prefer to use most. Take advantage of desired features such as split-screen zoom and Selective Fish ID. Track fish easily with advanced technology and an accurate display.

The 788ci HD DI boasts Down Imaging technology to take you directly under the boat and give you an extensive look around. Sonar snapshots are created and pieced together to create a bottom view like no other. At depths of up to 250ft you can find and identify fish and structures effortlessly.

Combine this with the DualBeam Plus Sonar to give you an expanded view of the underwater world. Use the narrow 20 degree and wide 60 degree beams alone or side by side to help you build a profile of the bottom, structures and fish. Combine them together to increase your coverage to depths of 600ft and provide highly accurate returns.

All of the features of the 788ci HD DI will be portrayed in amazing detail on the 5” color screen. The 640 X 640 high resolution display ensures that you get photo-like quality in your returns. Installation can be done by someone with some mechanical aptitude. The unit comes with the manual, mounting hardware, and a warranty. These fishfinders have the standard one year warranty. Overall, the only bad thing about this fishfinder is that you will play with your new gadget more than you will fish.

You can get a great deal on Humminbird 788ci HD DI here.

 
 

User Reviews

Posted by Kevin Hage

  • 5/5
5

I got my HB 788ci HD DI about 2 months ago and it works great. I installed on the bow. I’ve had no problems with interference from my trolling motor. The down imaging pictures are amazingly clear. I got it for little over $700 at fishfinders.com thanks to their discount coupon code – great deal.

Posted by BCBdriver

  • 4/5
4

This purchase was a no-brainer for me. I would have to pay $600 more for HDS7 with structure scan. I’m very happy with this unit. I installed in 4 hours hours. HB 788 DI is very easy to use and comes with all the features you’ll ever need. I’ll buy another one for the TM, hopefully fishfinders.com still offers their 10% discount when I’m ready to buy again. My only complaint is that does it work very well at high speeds.

Posted by CJ Watson

  • 5/5
5

I got mine at fishfinders.com couple weeks and I so far I have no complaints. It’s very user friendly when compared to another fishfinder I’ve been using. The default settings for surface clutter, frequency, zoom width, charts speed work pretty good. Resolution is outstanding.

Posted by Hawg Hunter

  • 5/5
5

The 788ci HD DI has many different functions. It can tell water temp, water speed, boat speed, and much more. Oh yeah, it will also help you find fish, timber, and other items along the water bottom. Powered by 4,000 Watts Peak-to-Peak this fishfinder is very difficult to try and hide from. The sonar is supplied with Dual Beam and Down Imaging technology. Basically, any fish that is near your boat is coming up on your 5-inch display in lifelike imaging. When you are able to get a nice image you can snap the image and upload the picture to the memory card slot. Thanks to Down Imaging you will be able to have many pictures on your memory card. This Down Imaging will work down to 250’ and the peak depth is 600’.This means you will be able to see every downed tree and rock in the water.

Posted by A. Weed

  • 1/5
1

This unit stops giving accurate speed readings at 10 mph. The range for both sonar and down imaging is less than comparable Lowrance units. Also Lowrance systems have modular design, you don’t have to buy an new transducer if you want to upgrade the display and vice versa.

Posted by Ron Ramsey

  • 5/5
5

I am happy with what I have seen form this unit so far. I have only taken it out six times and haven’t even tested down imaging yet, but the sensitivity is amazing. I was able to detect a small lure in 85 feet of water with ease. I am not really sold on the usefulness of the color over greyscale display yet but who knows. Overall I am very satisfied.

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